KAZI

KAZI

Austin, Texas United States
Broadcast area	Greater Austin
Frequency	88.7 MHz
Branding	KAZI 88.7
Programming
Format	Urban Contemporary/Community Radio
Ownership
Owner	Austin Community Radio, Inc.
History
First air date	August 29, 1982 (1982-08-29)
Call sign meaning	Kazi is Swahili for work[1]
Technical information
Licensing authority	FCC
Class	A
ERP	1,700 watts
HAAT	107 meters (351 ft)
Transmitter coordinates	30°16′37″N 97°49′34″W / 30.277°N 97.826°W / 30.277; -97.826
Translator	91.3 MHz K217GJ (Austin)
Links
Public license information	Public file LMS
Webcast	Listen live
Website	http://www.kazifm.org/

KAZI (88.7 FM) is a listener-supported, non-commercial community radio station in Austin, Texas, United States. The transmitter site is located in Southwest Austin and the station has studios in North Austin. It is owned by Austin Community Radio, Inc., a Texas non-profit entity founded April 22, 1975.

History

John Warfield, PhD (né John Lewis Warfield; 1938–2007), a University of Texas Professor of African-American studies, was the pioneering founder of KAZI-FM, a noncommercial radio station aimed at serving the African-American community in Austin. His success came with the help of his wife, Jan (née Jeanette Aycox; 1941–2015), several board members, and a host of volunteers and supporters. KAZI debuted on air August 29, 1982, 2 PM – forty-three years ago – broadcasting from a studio on Manor Road.^[2] Although its mission, before its debut, was to serve African-Americans of Austin, when it finally debuted, its focus had expanded to appeal to Hispanics and a general audience, according to the station's founding manager, Cheryl Anderson Strange (maiden; born 1947). Warfield was the founding President.

The station primarily features an urban contemporary radio format and also plays other styles of music such as R&B, Hip Hop, Gospel, Blues, Soul, Reggae, and Jazz. In addition, KAZI provides educational programming, community information, and independent news.

See also

• List of community radio stations in the United States

Bibliography

Notes

1. Stanley, Dick (August 29, 1982). "Black radio station goes on the air today". Austin American-Statesman. Austin, Texas. p. B1. Retrieved December 25, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
2. Professor John Warfield.

References

• "Professor John Warfield Dies at 71". UT News. Texas Newsletter. Austin: University of Texas. October 29, 2007.

• "'Future-proofing' Austin's only Black community radio station". Austin American-Statesman. June 24, 2025.

External links

• KAZI 88.7 FM, The Voice of Austin
• Facility details for Facility ID 3344 (KAZI) in the FCC Licensing and Management System
• KAZI in Nielsen Audio's FM station database